Traffic Commission
Regular MeetingMarlborough, MA · February 24, 2021
Minutes
TRAFFIC COMMISSION February 24, 2021
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CITY OF MARLBOROUGH
OFFICE OF TRAFFIC COMMISSION
140 MAIN STREET
MARLBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS 01752
Traffic Coriamission Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Traffic Commission was held as a virtual meeting on
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 10:00 am. Members present: Chairman -Police Chief
David Giorgi, Fire Chief Kevin Breen, Commissioner of Public Works Sean Divoll and
City Clerk Steve Kerrigan. Also present: City Engineer Tom DiPersio, Assistant City
Engineer Tim Collins, Ashley Miller &Ryan Malcolm also from the Engineering
Department, Sgt. Zac Attaway and Officer Andy Larose from the MPD Traffic Services
Unit, City Council President Mike Ossing, City Councilor Katie Robey, and local
resident Allen White (joined the meeting at 10:20am).
Minutes taken by Karen Lambert, MPD Records Clerk.
Chief Giorgi started recording the meeting at 10:02 and began by welcoming everyone
and making introductions.
1- Minutes
The minutes of the Traffic Commission meeting of Wednesday, January 27, 2021.
MOTION was made, seconded, duly VOTED:
TO APPROVE —All in Favor -Accept and Place on File.
2 - l~ew business —
2a) Crosswalk Issue at the EEC
Tom DiPersio has received several emails from staff at the ECC regarding problems they
are having with the crosswalk at the new parking lot on Bolton Street. Their main
concern is that cars are not stopping for pedestrians at the crosswalk. There are also
times when a car does stop and then is almost hit by the car behind them because they are
not prepared to stop. There were also concerns about parking in the winter with the snow
and the way the lot was plowed limiting the number of spaces available. There was also
TRAFFIC COMMISSION 2 February 24, 2021
a question as to why the area was not marked as a school zone. Mr. DiPersio and Mr.
Collins have been out to observe the area and have some suggestions that may help.
Tim Collins said there are actually two separate issues: 1) Greater visibility and 2)
School Zone. Mr. Collins also said that this crosswalk has not yet been regulated. He
pulled up a schedule of regulated crosswalks. He noticed that this one and the one down
by the elderly housing unit (Bolton Manor, south of Poirier Drive and the entrance to the
school) are not on there. They both need to be properly regulated and added to this
schedule. He also said that the law in MA is to "yield" to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
He pulled up Chapter 89, "Law of the Road", and highlighted a portion of Section 11
which states "driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if
need be so to yield,... if the pedestrian is on that half of the traveled part of the way on
which the vehicle is traveling or if the pedestrian approached from the opposite half of
the traveled part of the way to within 10 feet of that half....
With regard to the School Zone issue, Mr. Collins pulled up the MA amendment to the
MUTCD for reference. The speed limit is dropped to 20 mph in a School Zone, however,
there are 4 very specific minimum warrants that must be met in order to create a School
Zone.
• The school property abuts the public right of way within the limits of the
proposed zone area.
• School children have direct access to the street or roadway from the school
property.
• The zone must contain a marked crosswalk
• The school must involve one or more grades between Grade 1 and Grade 8,
inclusive.
The ECC fails to meet the warrant for grade levels as it only has preschool and
kindergarten students. Children are also not required to walk to school here.
Chief Giorgi advised that we have tried to put the crosswalk cones in other crosswalks
throughout the City and they have been hit.
Mr. Collins said that there is really only a 15-minute timeframe that is the issue. School
starts at 8:I Sam. He went out there from 7:45 to 8: l 5 and observed about 15 people
crossing. He said that the placement of the crosswalk is perfect and that most people had
no problem crossing. The traffic lights in the area do also provide a gap in traffic. He did
note that about 1/3 of the people crossing did not even look when using the crosswalk.
He observed 2 vehicles that did stop and 2 that didn't even look. The person crossing
needs to make eye contact with the driver. They can't just assume that cars will
automatically stop. He said that the pedestrian must assume some responsibility even
though they are in the crosswalk
Mr. Collins is proposing:
1. Regulate the crosswalk
2. Move the Advance Warning signs to a better location
3. Add crosswalk signs that point to the actual crosswalk
TRAFFIC COMMISSION February 24, 2021
4. Making the parking lot entrance one way so that cars entering the lot are not
blocking the view of the crosswalk. He is suggesting that the southerly side be
marked as "Do Not Enter" and that the northerly side be marked as "Enter".
Tom DiPersio also suggested that someone at the school could put the crossing pylon out
early and then be responsible for taking it in. Officer Larose said that these crossing
cones are constantly hit by cars and dragged down the street.
Chief Giorgi said that someone from the school would need to be designated as the
person to put the cone in and out on Bolton Street. He agrees that the Advance Warning
signs are a good idea but he also agrees with Mr. Collins that some of the responsibility is
on the pedestrian.
Steve Kerrigan asked when the last time was the School Zone requirements were updated
by the MUTCD. He was questioning why a school with grades below first grade, doesn't
qualify for a school zone. Mr. Collins said that he thinks this is because most
municipalities don't expect preschool and kindergarten students to walk to school.
Chief Giorgi said that a good place to start is with the additional signage. He also
suggested that Sgt. Attaway or Officer Larose could visit the school and educate students
and staff on crosswalk safety. Mr. Collins agreed that this would be a good teaching
opportunity to show young children and teachers how to cross properly.
Steve Kerrigan also mentioned that the charging station at the municipal lot also needs to
be properly regulated. Mr. Collins said that he will also prepare the wording for this
regulation.
MOTION was made, seconded, duly VOTED to REFER to ENGINEERING to prepare
the wording for all the necessary regulations for the crosswalks and municipal lots.
2b) Issues with the turn movement at intersection of Boston Post Road West &
Ames Street
Tim Collins explained that this issue goes back to 2016. He pulled up copies of email
correspondence he had with Joe Frawley from the MA DOT. The main issue was that
when traveling westbound on Boston Post Road West the left turn movement for U-Turns
at Ames Street conflicted with right turns from Ames Street. They both had a green light
at the same time. He was also requesting that the "No Right on Red" restriction for Ames
Street be eliminated. Mr. Collins also included aerial photos of the intersection in the
agenda packet showing Ames Street, northbound, at the intersection and Boston Post
Road West, westbound, at the intersection. MA DOT recognized the conflict and
eliminated the overlap with the green lights. This eliminated most of the problems.
At the time, MA DOT also advised that they would be willing to replace the "No Turn on
Red" sign with a "No Turn on Red Except from Right Lane", however, this was never
done. Mr. Collins included two graphics for MUTCD signs in the agenda packet as well,
one for this sign and the other for "Right Turn on Red Must Yield to U-Turn" for the
Boston Post Road West, westbound, approach. Mr. Collins advised that he has a new
contact at the MA DOT, and he can send a letter to revisit the "No Turn on Red". All
agreed that this was a good idea.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION 4 February 24, 2021
MOTION was made, seconded, duly VOTED to REFER to ENGINEERING to draft a
new letter to the MA DOT and revisit this issue.
2c) Speeding throughout the community —specifically on Berlin Road
President Ossing was contacted by a resident of Berlin Road on this issue. The resident
is frustrated with the speed on Berlin Road and was questioning "how the city made a
decision to increase the speed limit on Berlin Road with zero improvements?!" He also
doesn't understand why officers can't write more speeding tickets. He knows there are
no quick answers but feels something needs to be done.
President Ossing asked if the speed limit was properly posted and if there was anything
that could be done on a more specific regular basis. He asked if we can set up monitoring
equipment?
Chief Giorgi advised that the speed limit signs were changed to reflect the correct speed
limit on Berlin Road. Tim Collins pulled up the speed limit regulation and a diagram
showing the speed zones on Ber(in Road. It starts at 20 mph then goes to 30 mph then 25
mph. When reviewing the regulations in the past, it was realized that the sign was in the
wrong place before. There is only one very small section (about 211 feet) that was
supposed to be marked as 20 mph. The speed limit was never changed on the road. It
was just reposted to show the actual speed limits that were already in place.
President Ossing will get back to the resident with this information but he also asked if
we could get recent speed data for the area. Officer Larose advised that he has had the
speed board out there in the area near Peebles Way, where the speed limit is 30 mph. He
pulled up the Extended Speed Summary from 11/9/20 to 1 ]/21/20. He does feel like the
signs work to slow people down. He also had another summary report from the other
end of Berlin Road, closer to Pleasant Street, where the speed limit is 25 mph. This one
was from 3/11/20 to 4/11/20. It showed the average speed was 27.85 mph with the 85t~'
percentile at 31 mph.
President Ossing asked how frequently we could monitor Berlin Road? Officer Larose
said that we've put the speed signs out every time between speed complaints and that
they are normally left out for 7 days, however, sometimes they are left up longer. When
they are up, they are effective. You can see this from the blue on the pie chart which
shows that vehicles slowed down when they were in the area of the sign. Sgt. Attaway
said that as soon as the weather clears up, we can also get the speed trailer back up. Last
year the sign was out in that area for 5 to 6 weeks. Any time they had an extra sign they
would put it there.
Chief Giorgi suggested that we get a specific schedule going. President Ossing asked if
we could get them to target Berlin Road if they have extra signs available in 2021.
Officer Larose said that the Police Department now as a 4th electronic speed sign. Sgt.
Attaway also said that after the speed signs are out in an area, they usually do a directed
patrol there to monitor speed the following week. They will send the results to President
Ossing and he can share them with the resident.
TRAFFIC COMMISSION 5 February 24, 2021
Allen White, another resident of Berlin Road, joined the meeting at this time. Chief
Giorgi asked if he would like to express his concerns. He also has concerns about speed
on West Hill Road and said that his neighbors do as well. He is a lifelong resident of
Berlin Road. He feels we do have to get the traffic slowed down and get this area under
control before someone is seriously hurt or killed. He also mentioned that commercial
vehicles are a problem. He really hopes the Traffic Commission can do something for
him. Chief Giorgi advised that we do try to keep officers here and keep it under control.
His father also lives in this area and he also hears all of this from him.
Mr. Collins said that we have addressed the issue of the truck exclusion in the past,
however, the detour would have to go through the Town of Hudson and Hudson has said
no to this route. There are also very specific truck numbers required for a road to quality
for a truck exclusion. It's very difficult to meet all the criteria.
MOTION was made, seconded, duly VOTED to REFER to the POLICE DEPARTMENT
to continue to monitor and enforce speed limits in the area.
3-Old Business
3a) Truck traffic volume/noise on Rte. 85 by the Navin Rink
Update: Sgt. Attaway and Officer Larose have been monitoring truck traffic and fake
brake noise on Bolton Street over the past month. Officer Larose said that he spent 10
hours on tl~~is and that he has also been keeping his office windows open. His office is
located in the front of the building directly on Bolton Street and he said he has heard
nothing. He had one morning where he was monitoring the area at Bolton Street and
Reservoir Street and heard jake brakes. He called Sgt. Attaway who had his office
windows open and asked if he could hear anything. He could not. He went over by the
Com~ector and at the light he could hear heavy truck traffic. Over the last month he has
only observed 1-2 trucks on Bolton Street, and neither were using Jake Brakes. He
believes the truck noise is coming from the Connector, not Bolton Street.
Sgt. Attaway advised that he can reach out to the Hudson resident who brought up this
issue now that we have stats from the last month.
Chief Giorgi asked if anyone else had anything else they would like to add. No other
comments.
That there being no further business of the Traffic Commission held on this date, the
meeting adjourned at 10:46 am.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen L. Lambert
Records Clerk
Marlborough Police Department
TRAFFIC COMMISSION 6 February 24, 2021
List of documents and other exhibits used at the meeting:
-City of Marlborough Meeting Posting for Traffic Commission Meeting on
Wednesday 2/24/21, including meeting agenda.
-Draft of Traffic Commission Minutes from Wednesday, January 27, 2021.
-Email forwarded by Tom DiPersio to Chief Giorgi, dated 2/4/21, re: Crosswalk
issue at the EEC (Original email from Wendy Cunningham on 2/3/21).
-Email from Tom DiPersio to Chief Giorgi, dated 2/3/21, re: Crosswalk on 85
ECC Staff (includes email from Monique Skarin, dated 2/3/21)
-Email chain from Tim Collins to Chief Giorgi, dated 1/28/21, re: Traffic
Commission Agenda Item for February 24, 2021 (Issues with the turn movement at
intersection of Boston Post Road West &Ames Street —including wording for proposed
signage and photos of the intersection.)
-Email from City Council President Ossing to Chief Giorgi, dated 2/]9/21, re:
Speeding throughout the community, specifically Berlin Road speed limit increase with
zero improvements?!.
Additional Handouts
-Extended Speed Summary Reports for Berlin Road (SB) from 3/11/20 — 4/11/20, Berlin
Road (EB) from 7/28/20 — 8/3/20 and Berlin Road (EB) from 11/9/20 — 11/21/20.
-Copy of Chapter 586-60.1 —Crosswalk Locations
-Copy of Chapter 89-I 1 with specific wording highlighted.
-Copy of Chapter 3: MUTCD Traffic Control for School Zones with specific wording
highlighted.
-Photo of Pedestrian Crossing Sign used on Crosswalk
-Copy of Chapter 586-58, Schedule XIV: Speed Limits for Berlin Road, including
diagram.
-Copies of Emails between Tim Collins and Joe Frawley (DOT) regarding issues at the
intersection of Boston Post Road West and Ames Street, along with aerial photo.
Agenda
CITY ~F MARLBOROUGH MEETING P~OS'TING
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Meeting Name: Traffic Commission
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Date: Wednesday, Februax~v 24, 2021
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Virtuallvleetin~
Agenda items to be addressed:
In accordance with the March 12, 2020 Executive Order iss~red by Governor Baker modifying certain
requirements of the Open Nlseting Law, the Marlborough l~raffic Commission rnrill bald a virtual
meeting era Wednesday, February 24, 2021.
NO IN PERSON PUBLIC ATTENDANCE WILL BE PERMITTED
The public may aceess the meeting by clicking the link on the meeting calendar page or by dialing
61.7m433~9462 and using conference ID: 234 425 293#
1) MIiVUTES OF LAST MEET(IVG
a) Review draft from 127-21
2) lVEW BUSIRfE55
a) Crosswalk issue at the EEC
b) Issues with the turn movement at intersection of Boston Post Road West ~ Ames Street
c) Speeding throughput the community — specifically on Berlin Road
3) OLD BUSINESS
a) Trucl< traffic volume/noise on Rte. 85 by the Navin Rink
THE LISTING OF TOPICS THAT THE CHAIR REASONABLY ANTICIPATES WILL BE
DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING IS NOT INTENDED AS A GUARANTEE OF THE TOPICS
THAT WILL HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED. NOT ALL TOPICS LISTED MAY IN FACT BE
DISCZJSSED, AND OTHER TOPICS NOT LISTED MAY ALSO BE BROUGHT UP FOR
DISCUSSION TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BYLAW.
1a-1
11117~~~[K~Z]~~~~~►~.~~~~~i January 27, 2021
CITY OF MARLBOROUGH
OFFICE OF TRAFFIC COMMISSION
140 MAIN STREET
MARLBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS 01752
Traffic Commission Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Traffic Commission was held as a virtual meeting on
Wednesday, January 21, 2021 at 10:00 am. Members present: Chairman -Police Chief
David Giorgi, Fire Chief Kevin Breen, Commissioner of Public Works Sean Divoll and
City Clerk Steve Kerrigan. Also present: City Engineer Tom DiPersio, Assistant City
Engineer Tim Collins, Ashley Miller —Engineering Department, Sgt. Zac Attaway and
Officer Andy Larose from the MPD Traffic Services Unit, City Councilor Katie Robey,
City Councilor Mike Ossing and local resident Michael Volk.
Minutes taken by Karen Lambert, MPD Records Clerk.
Chief Giorgi started recording the meeting at 10:03 and began by welcoming everyone
and making introductions.
1-Minutes
The minutes of the Traffic Conunission meeting of Wednesday, December 30, 2020.
MOTION was made, seconded, duly VOTED:
TO APPROVE —All in Favor -Accept and Place on File.
2 -New Business —
2a) Truck traffic volume/noise on Rte. 85 by the Navin Rink
1a-2
TRAFFIC COMMISSION 2 January 27, 2021
Michael Volt, a Hudson resident, spoke to Sgt. Attaway on this issue and also sent an
email reviewing his concerns. He was in attendance for this meeting and Chief Giorgi
asked if be would like to address the group. IVI~. Volt said that he lives in Hudson behind
Intel and can hear lots of noise coming from the area near Navin Rink (which is a full
mile from his house) at all different times of the day. He specifically mentioned hearing
it in the middle of the night and early in the morning. He looked up the Noise Ordinance
for the City of Marlborough due to the fact that this is a residential area. He said that the
noise is coming from Jake Brakes on trucks,
Chief Giorgi advised that we have had this issue come up before on the east side of the
City and asked Tim Collins if he would explain furkher. Mr. Collins reviewed that Jake
Brakes are used to slow a vehicle in a different way. They give the driver more control
when going downhill and explained how this breaking mechanism works. He said that if
the exhaust system has a properly installed muffler it is not a problem. He pulled up a
diagram on the screen entitled "Sound Pressure Levels —Human Perception". It showed
different decibel levels and where they fall on a scale and gave examples i.e. normal
conversation = 60-70 decibels to a jet aircraft @ 50 ft. = 150 decibels and showed where
a truck with a proper muffler, and one without, would fall on the scale. He said that if the
decibels are too high it's because of a problem with the muffler and would be an issue
with specific trucks. He said it is probably best to try to find out which trucks are malting
the noise.
Mr. Volt said that he does notice it more at night and early in the morning and said that
he can hear it from his house with his headphones on listening to music. Chief Giorgi
advised that we haven't had any other complaints. Mr. Volt said that he is sure the noise
ordinance is being violated in a housing zone.
Officer Larose asked if the noise could possibly be coming off the connector rather then
Bolton Sheet? He said they sit on Bolton Street all the time monitoring traffic and
haven't really noticed anything. Mr. Volt said that he has not sat in front of Navin Rink,
however, trucks have to be violating the noise ordinance or he wouldn't be hearing it
from a mile away. Councilor Ossing said he lives less then a mile from this area and it's
also on the other side of Rte. 495 and trucks cut through back roads also. It's hard to say
specifically who is at fault. He said he either doesn't hear it or has become numb to it.
Mr. Volt said that he is just reporting the problem. He does not have a solution.
Chief Giorgi said that he believes the first step would be to have the Traffic Unit monitor
the situation and try to identify specific trucks that might be causing the problem and
possibly by some type of sound monitoring device. If a problem is found, the second
step would be to try to reach out to specific companies to address the issue.
MOTION was made, seconded, duly VOTED to REFER to the TRAFFIC UNIT to
monitor. Sgt. Attaway can stay in touch with Mr. Volk over the next month or two and
then see where to go from there.
3-Old Business
3a) Speed and Parking Issues on Church Street.
1a-3
TRAFFIC COMMISSION 3 January 27, 2021
Tini Collins advised that this all set now. It was a matter or amending the regulations and
they have all now been voted on and approved,
3b) Request for No Parking Sign —Paquin Drive.
Chief Giorgi advised that he had drafted the regulation for the no parking area around
Memorial Beach, however, Steve Kerrigan and Tim Collins found an overlap issue and
revised the wording again. Mr. Collins had a diagram which outlined the parking
restrictions around the beach. The areas marked in pink on Hosmer Street are for no
parking anytime. The areas marked in yellow on Paquin Drive, Stevens Street, Causeway
Street, Miles Standish Drive and Simpson Road have a parking restriction from June 1S'
to September 15th for beach parking. The wording "for beach parking" was also added to
the wording for the new regulation. This would allow parking for visitors etc. but not to
unload your car and walk down to the beach. Chief Giorgi will revise the regulation
based on the amended language provided by Tim Collies.
Steve Kerrigan asked about enforcement. What happens if someone is caught going to
the beach? What happens when they appeal a ticket and say they did not do that? Chief
Giorgi said that hopefully his officers would do their "due diligence" before giving out a
ticket. Mr. Kei7•igan just doesn't want to see it turning into an enforcement issue.
MOTION was made, seconded, duly VOTED to APPROVE the amended regulation for
the parking restriction around the Memorial Beach based on the wording provided by
Tim Collins. Chief Giorgi will prepare the amended regulation and Karen Lambert will
forward it to Steve Kerrigan for advertisement.
That there being no further business of the Traffic Commission held on this date, the
meeting adjourned at 10;24 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen L. Lambert
Records Clerk
Marlborough Police Department
List of documents and other exhibits used at the meeting:
-City of Marlborough Meeting Posting for Traffic Commission Meeting on
Wednesday 1/27/21, including meeting agenda.
-Draft of Traffic Commission Minutes from Wednesday, December 30, 2020.
-Email from Michael Volk to Sgt. Attaway, dated 1/21/21, re: Thick Air Breaking
Noise from Rte. 85N traffic downhill past Navin Rink (including Zoning Map, Ch. 431-
11 from ecode360.com and copy of "Engine Breaking Prohibited" sign.
-Copy of regulation to ADD specific section of Church Street to the Schedule for
"No Stopping, Standing or Parking".
1a-4
TRAFFIC COMMISSION 4 January 27, 2021
-Copy of regulation to AMEND the wording for the Schedule of "Parking
Prohibited Certain Hours" on Causeway Street and Hosnier Street. The text will be
amended to include the text "For Beach Parking". Also, to ADD specific sections of
Causeway Street, Paquin Street, Miles Standish Drive and Simpson Road to the
Schedule.
Additional Handouts
-Email from Tim Collins to Chief Giorgi, dated 1/25121, re: No Parking near Memorial
Beach, including revised wording for the regulation and restricted parking graphic.
-Amended regulations for the No Parking Area around Memorial Beach.
-Jake Brake.pdf: What is a Jake Brake, &How Does it Work?
-Diagram of Sound Pressure Levels —Human Perception
2a-1
Karen Lambert
From: Thomas DiPersio
Sent: Thursday, February 4, 2021 6:47 AM
To: David Giorgi; Karen Lambert
Cc: Wendy Cunningham
Subject: FW: crosswalk issue at the ECC
Good morning Chief Giorgi,
Please include this email with the information for the ECC crosswalk discussion at the next Traffic Commission meeting.
Thank you
Thomas DiPersio, Jr., PE, PLS
City Engineer
Department of Public Works
135 Neil Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone:(5Q8)624-6910x33200
tdipersio(~marlborou~h-ma.~ov
From: Wendy Cunningham
Sent: Wednesday, February 3, 20218:01 PM
To: Thomas DiPersio
Subject: crosswalk issue at the ECC
Hi Mr. Dipersio,
My colleague, Monique Skarin reached out to you earlier today about our crosswalk problem. She mentioned that
should let you know my experience and I did read through your thoughts. 1 think the answer is "all of the above".
understand that in the past this crosswalk was not used very much and now that we have the new lot and staff are
parking there, people who frequent this road may be surprised by the number of people now using it. However, it is still
a crosswalk and drivers need to be aware of its presence so your suggestion of trying to solve this part of the problem is
helpful.
The other two issues I have seen and experienced concerns people who do stop and the person behind them almost hits
them because they are not prepared for this and people who blatantly do not stop. I have had a few times where many
people drove right by me and today I actually had a woman accelerate and speed by me. i feel confident that she did
see me, had plenty of time to stop but chose not to...did not WANT to as I could hear her actually step on her gas! So
your idea of including the police is also warranted.
The winter time is problematic for our staff because of the snow. Today we lost even more parking spaces than we ever
have before in our small lot because of the way it was plowed. It is not safe to park on the street due to the snow which
forces more staff to park in that lot across the street. I complained to my colleagues the last 2 times I experienced
problems with the crosswalk but today was the final straw. I felt that I needed to speak up beyond that because if
someone gets hurt in the crosswalk and we do not let people know what has been happening, we can only blames
2a-2
ourselves. But if we alert the proper people and something happens than that is a different story. I do not want to see
anyone hurt as no amount of money could ever be worth a loss of life or severe injury that is life altering.
We appreciate your attention to this matter as it is starting to provoke some anxiety when thinking about having to park
there!
Sincerely,
Wendy Cunningham, Teacher at the MECC
2a-3
Karen Lambert
From: Thomas DiPersio
Sent: Wednesday, February 3, 2021 10:31 AM
To: David Giorgi
Cc: Timothy Collins; Sean Divoll
Subject: FW: Crosswalk on 85 ECC staff
Chief Giorgi,
am getting several emails such as the one below from staff at the ECC. I told them I would ask you to add their
concerns as an agenda item on the next TC meeting.
We can discuss specifics in more detail but I wanted to see if you can get it on the agenda in the meantime.
Also, Tim has done some research into our school zones and crosswalks near school regulations, and has found several
things that need to be corrected. So maybe that can be added as an item as well.
Thanks
Thomas DiPersio, Jr., PE, PLS
City Engineer
Department of Public Works
135 Neil Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone:(508)624-6910x33200
tdipersio@marlborou~h-ma.~ov
From: Monique Skarin
Sent: Wednesday, February 3, 2021 10:08 AM
To: Thomas DiPersio
Subject: Crosswalk on 85 ECC staff
Hi Tom
We are all curious to know what is happening with the crosswalk situation here at the ECC.
This problem of our safety crossing is still a big problem.
Several of us this morning watched as cars just passed by looking right at us as we were waiting to cross. This
happened several times and continues to happen on a daily basis.
We have questions also.
Why isn't our school a school zone? Like alf the other schools in town including IC. (I know they are closed
now)
Can we try putting one of those cones with the sign sticking out of it in the middle of the crosswalk like I've
seen on other crosswalks in town?
One staff put a complaint on the app this morning and the city's reply was to contact the police it's not a city
issue? Can you explain that since you have been the one that came to observe our unsafe situation here?
We are all frustrated feeling like it's going to take someone getting hurt or killed to have this taken seriously.
We have no problem asking the police for assistance if that is the case. It's just confusing with different 2a-4
information.
Thank you for your time
Monique Skarin
Get Outlook for i05
2b-1
Karen
__ Lambert
From: Timothy Collins
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2021 11:52 AM
To: David Giorgi
Cc: Karen Lambert; Thomas DiPersio; Sean Divoll
Subject: FW: Traffic Commission Agenda Item for February 24, 2021 meeting
Attachments: e-mail string.pdf; r10-11c.pdf; photos.pub; r10-30.pdf
Chief, could the following item be put on to the Traffic Commission agenda for the February 24, 2021 meeting?
Back in July 20, 2016, at the request of the Marlborough Traffic Commission, I requested that MassDOT look into
resolving a conflict where Boston Post Road —West, westbound traffic's left turn movement for U-Turns at Ames Street
was in conflict with right turns from Ames Street and requested that the "No Right on Red" restriction for Ames Street
be eliminated (attachment e-mail string.pdfJ .The response we received back from MassDOT on August 18, 2016, stated
that the conflict was due to a overlapped timing issue —green lights for both movements at the same time. The overlap
was eliminated by MassDOT and that should eliminate the conflict. MassDOT also noted that they would be willing to
consider replacing the "No Turn on Red" sign with a "No Turn on Red Except from Right Lane" sign (attachment: r10-
11c.pdf), if there are any further complaints -Ames Street has two exclusive right turn lanes at Boston Post Road -West.
This should have been mentioned in the Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes for the meeting held on August 31, 2016.
have included a "Streetview" photo (attachment photos.pub) —showing both approaches; Ames Street northbound
traffic and Boston Post Road -West westbound traffic and a graphic for MUTCD signage (attachment R20-30.pdfJ "Right
Turn on Red Must Yield to U-Turn), additional signage for conflict resolution — Right on Red movement from Ames Street
while Boston Post Road —West traffic is reversing direction under green arrow.
Please let me know if you require any additional information regarding this request.
Timothy F. Collins
Marlborough D.P.W.
Assistant City Engineer
tcollinsC~marlborou~h-ma.Qov
Office (508) 624-6910 Ems. 332003
Cell (774) 463-9023
2b-2
From: Timothy Collins
Sent: Wednesday, duly 20, 201611:36 AM
To: 'Frawley, Joseph (DOT)'
Cc: Thomas DiPersio
Subject: RE: Marlborough Traffic Issues
Joe,
The issue of L!-Turns on Boskon Post Road --West at Ames Street and fihe right turning movement off of Ames Street
(heading east) has come before the Marlborough Traffic Commission once again.
The U-turn is needed to re-direct traffic from the Hotel &Trade Center wishing to travel in an easterly direction.
The exclusive right turn lanes (2) on Ames Street get a green arrow when the left turn lane for westbound firaffic on
Boston Post Road -West gets a green left arrow. Where bath movements are allowed at the same time, vehicles on
Boston Post Road —West, executing a U-Turn don't always know that they should yield to the right turning movement
off Ames Street.
We were hoping to have this conflict resolved.
Would it be possible to have fhe No Right Turn on Red for Ames Street eliminated. The sight distance at this intersection
is very good. There is an exclusive right turn lane (onto Ames Street from Boston Post Road —West, which allows a Right
Turn on Redd, which allows for a clear sight of the oncoming through traffic?
ey allowing the right turn ofF Ames Street during a red light cycle, some {if not mast/all) of the right turns could be
executed so that when the green arrow for Boston Post Road —West left turn (and U-Turn) comes on the conflict is
minimized (if not eliminated},
If this is not possible, could signage be erected which puts motorists wishing to make the U-Turn at Boston Post Road —
West at Ames Street, on notice that U TURNS MUST YIELD TO TURNING TRAFFIC ?
Your comments would be very much appreciated. Thanks
Timothy ~'. G°ollin~
Assistant Ciiy Engineer
Marlborough D.P.W.
(508) 624-6910 Ext. 33203
tcollins@marlborough-ma,~ov
2b-3
Timothy Collins
From: Frawley, Joseph (DOT)
Sent: Thursday, August 1$, 2016 5:42 PM
To: Timothy Collins
Cc: Thomas DiPersio
Subject: RE: Marlborough Traffic Issues
Hi Tim,
Sorry for the delayed reply to your email regarding the intersection of Boston Post Road (Route 20) and Ames Street.
The District had removed the Ames Street NS right turn "over{ap" with the Route 20 WB left/U-turn phase prior to the
recent construction to provide pedestrian crossings at the intersection. The recent wori< inadvertently put the right turn
overlap back in operation. The Contractor for that project removed the overlap at our direction earlier this wee!<.
That should resolve the conflict you noted in your email. To allow more trafFic on Ames Street N8 to be able to turn
right when their signal is red, we will consider replacing the "No Turn nn Red" sign with a "No Turn on Red Except from
Right Lane" sign.
if you receive complaints about the operation of the trafific signal now that the overlap has been removed, please let me
know.
Thanks,
doe
.Joseph R. Frawley, P.E.
District 3 Traffic Operations Engineer
Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Highway Division
P: (508) 929-3916
F: (508) 799-9763
From: Timothy Collins
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2016 11:36 AM
To: Frawley, Joseph (DOT)
Cc: Thomas DiPersio
Subject; RE; Marlborough Traffic Issues
Joe,
The issue of U-Turns on Boston Post Road —West at Ames Street and the right turning movement off of Ames Street
(heading east) has come before the Marlborough Traffic Commission once again.
The U-turn is needed to re-direct traffic from the Hotel & Tr•ade Center wishing to travel in an easterly direction.
The exclusive right turn lanes (2) on Ames Street get a green arrow when the left turn lane for westbound traffic on
Boston Post Road -West gets a green left arrow. Where both movements are allowed at the same time, vehicles on
2b-4
R10-1'Ic
PJo Turn On Red Except From Right Lane
Sign image from the Manual of Traffic Signs <http:/Iwww.trafficsign.us/>
This sign image copyright Richard C. Moeur. All rights reserved.
2b-5
2b-6
R'10-30
Right Turn On Red Niust Yield To U Turn
Sign image from the Manual of Traffic Signs <http://www.trafficsign.us/>
This sign image copyright Richard C. Moeur. Ali rights reserved.
2c-1
Karen Lambert
From: Mike Ossing
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2021 11:43 AM
To: David Giorgi
Cc: Kevin Breen; Sean Divoll; Steven Kerrigan; Karen Boule; Karen Lambert; Mike Ossing;
Timothy Collins
Subject: Speeding throughout the community, specifically Berlin Road speed limit increase with
zero improvements?!
Chief Giorgi/Chief Breen/Commissioner Divoll/City Clerk Steve Kerrigan
received the email below from a frustrated resident on Berlin Road (between Pleasant and Ethier Circle}, Names have
been edited in the email.
Can this be added to the February 24, 2021 Traffic Commission agenda and I will relay the residents' concerns?
Thanks
f►~T
Mike, I am beyond upset and tired of fighting with neighbors and commuters speeding on city streets! I have no
understanding of how the city made a decision to increase the speed limit on Berlin Road with zero improvements?!
Fighting this morning with a young man, postal employee no less qualifying he was only going three miles an hour over
the speed limit on a snowy morning as I'm clearing the front of my driveway! Do you think I would be wrong to
extrapolate from that behavior that on a sunny day that he might be doing 10 miles an hour over or more and his
comment was he saw no 25 mph signs he did note the 30 mph signs. I've talked to the mayor who said (name removed)
Yes I understand and we had a pleasant discussion in front of City Hall about school buses that were some of the worst
violators of our speed limits! Growing up in the community I recollect that city vehicles prior to any tracking devices
would always be under the speed limit which is now the exception not the rule. I know I'm going back a few decades but
we should be able to hold those accountable for speeding in taxpayer bought and maintained vehicles they should not
be speeding (with exception for emergency lights flashing).! My mailbox was taken out by a driver the prior storm
claiming she was going the speed limit Not driving to the conditions might explain why my mailbox is now held up with a
piece of rope to a tree. 20 years ago when I moved here (name removed) daughters horse would deposit poop in front
of my house and I would give anything for that to be the case today. I don't understand why the change but you can
imagine the travel algorithms, have now as confirmed by several patrolmen that the volume on the street is
exponentially higher in spite of the pandemic and the percentage of speeders is off the charts! I understand from
conversations with patrolman that there is one police officer per shift that can write speeding tickets this is insane give
them an incentive and they'll write tickets look at Bolton for example, It's known Don't drive through the community
speeding you will be pulled over do they have a higher percentage of resources than we do?The answer is no they get
paid to write tickets I don't like it but seems to work. I don't know any of this but I do question most of it. I've always felt
you were one of the good guys and I don't like seeing a lot of what goes on out there it's everywhere today I'm sure you
don't have a quick answer but I sent an email to the chief of police via the city website and never heard anything, did get
a speed sign for a week and a half which during that brief period, Life was restored. When there's a flashing light telling
them they're being inconsiderate through the neighborhood. The amount of dirt and decibels reflect the speeding and
we know my ears and eyes haven't improved.
I'm sure you don't have a quick answer to any of my concerns, no one does! Hope you're well and hope all yours are
safe and sound. Look forward to your take on any ofi my insanity.
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